Rubin Kazan 0-0 Barcelona: Blaugrana Frozen Out In Chilly Russia

The Tatars again showed their defensive solidity as they frustrated Barca on an icy cold evening…

Rubin Kazan 0-0 Barcelona - Lineup/Stats
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Barcelona were looking to avenge their shock home defeat to Rubin Kazan a fortnight ago but they could only leave freezing Russia with a solitary point.

It was clear that Kurban Berdyev's side would repeat the strategy that worked so gloriously at the Camp Nou two weeks ago, as they set about forming multiple lines of defence in midfield right from the onset. But Barcelona almost gave their hosts a taste of their own medicine as Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly handed the Spaniards the lead after just two minutes.

Racing on to an Andres Iniesta through pass, the big Swede brushed aside his marker and bore down on goal before clipping the ball past on-rushing goalkeeper, Sergei Ryzhikov, only to see it bounce back off the post.

The Russians closed up even more at the back after that but on 15 minutes, Alejandro Dominguez had the home crowd on their feet when he bombarded forward down the left on a promising counter attack, but Dani Alves managed to rob the ball off him with a precise tackle right on the edge of the box.

Xavi then tried an audacious chip from 20 yards out after picking up a long through pass out of defence and turning past his marker, but his attempt failed to dip under the bar with Ryzhikov looking flat-footed.

The Rubin goalkeeper did better two minutes later when he plucked the ball off Lionel Messi’s feet in a one-on-one after the Argentine had been put through on goal by a deft Ibrahimovic flick-on.

The host’s had their first real opening on 25 minutes when Vitaly Kaleshin stormed down the left flank and drilled in a low cross to the middle for Gokdeniz Karadeniz, who stabbed the ball just wide from close range, albeit off a deflection.

Messi then tried his luck from distance when he shimmied past Sergei Semak and unleashed a piledriver but the shot flashed just wide of Ryzhikov’s left post. Chances started to dry up after that as both teams battled for supremacy in midfield but five minutes before the break, Rubin had their best opportunity to score. Dominguez swept in a gorgeous 40 yard long ball for Aleksandr Ryazantsev, who checked past a back-tracking Iniesta and rifled in a low shot, which Victor Valdes only just managed to get a hand on to prevent the ball trickling past him at his near post.

Straight to the other end, a cleverly worked short free kick saw Ibra slip Iniesta into the box but San Andres’ effort was smothered by Ryzhikov.

Barca came out for the second period with the same urgency as they showed at the start of the first, constantly finding in-roads into the opposing penalty area. But their first attempt at goal in the half didn’t arrive until the 53rd minute when Toure Yaya pummelled in a fierce 30-yard drive that Ryzhikov fumbled, but his team-mates managed to clean up.

Moments later, Iniesta danced past three defenders inside the box and let fly a speculative shot that flew just agonisingly wide. The Blaugrana continued to maintain their relentless pressure in attack and lay siege upon siege on the Tatars’ goal.

Berdyev’s men finally had some reprieve and on 67 minutes, Dominguez caused a few anxious moments for Valdes when he whipped in a free kick all the way out on the right flank directly at goal, but the ball looped over the bar.

Barca had a free kick opportunity of their own shortly after, but Ibrahimovic’s blistering effort was gathered by Ryzhikov. Straight to the other end, Dominguez launched a counterattack with a pin-point pass over the Blaugrana backline to Aleksandr Bukharov, who failed to control it cleanly enough as Valdes darted out to rob the ball off him.

Five minutes later, Bukharov had an identical opening when he glided past Carles Puyol but he was once again too slow to beat Valdes one-on-one. Rubin finished the game strongly as a number of set-piece deliveries again caused panic in the Barca box.

But it was substitute, Thierry Henry who had the last few chances of the game. First, a cross from Alves somehow bobbled towards him at the backpost but caught him unaware, with the ball skidding off his shins and Ryzhikov collected gratefully. Seconds later, he raced onto Messi’s through ball but sent his hurried shot high and wide after he slipped just as he pulled the trigger.

It wasn’t the surprise scalp Rubin were looking for but they have now successfully negotiated Barcelona unscathed while the Blaugrana have yet to win away from home in this season’s competition.